In a world where most obituaries are solemn tributes, one Texas family decided to take a different approach, injecting humor and honesty into remembering a beloved father. Charles Boehm of Houston crafted a laugh-out-loud obituary for his late father, Robert Boehm, 74, giving readers a glimpse of the man’s colorful personality and declaring that he is now “God’s problem.”
Robert, a longtime resident of Clarendon, Texas, was no ordinary man, and his son’s unconventional tribute reflected just that. Charles explained that the obituary wasn’t written out of disrespect, but rather to honor his father’s unique character. In a small town like Clarendon, where neighbors are more like family, the obituary provided a moment for the community to come together in laughter — just as Robert would have wanted.
The obituary begins in true Robert Boehm fashion, detailing his final moments with humor: “Robert Adolph Boehm, in accordance with his lifelong dedication to his own personal brand of decorum, muttered his last unintelligible and likely unnecessary curse on October 6, 2024, shortly before tripping backward over ‘some stupid bleeping thing’ and hitting his head on the floor.” Right off the bat, Charles captures the bluntness and humor that his father was known for.
Born in 1950, Charles notes, “God immediately and thankfully broke the mold and attempted to cover up the evidence.” A semi-professional truck driver (which his son cheekily clarifies is not to be confused with a professional semi-truck driver), Robert’s life was filled with mischief, love for his family, and a notable knack for collecting antique weaponry and harmonicas.
Charles also humorously recalled how Robert’s harmonica playing, though well-intentioned, often resulted in “his beloved dogs howling continuously at odd hours of the night,” much to the delight (or dismay) of his many neighbors. And in a classic tale of his father’s eccentricity, Robert managed to shoot not one but *two* holes into the dash of his own car on separate occasions — a hobby that, by the sound of it, his family found both bewildering and endearing.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Dianne, who passed away in February. Her death, Charles joked, was likely a merciful act from God to give her some “well-earned peace and quiet.” Without Dianne to entertain, Robert shifted his antics to the good people of Clarendon, and as Charles put it, “We have all done our best to enjoy/weather Robert’s antics up to this point, but he is God’s problem now.”
While the obituary has gone viral for its humor, Charles made a serious point about his father’s final months. After Dianne passed, Robert struggled with loneliness and isolation — a reality many seniors face, particularly in rural areas. Charles, who lived 600 miles away, spoke openly about how hard it was for his father to sit in a house filled with memories, staring at his wife’s empty chair. He praised the town of Clarendon for stepping in to support his father when family couldn’t always be there.
In reflecting on his father’s life and death, Charles hopes to raise awareness about the mental health challenges facing elderly people in small towns. “A lot of people slip through the cracks,” he said, urging others to support seniors, especially in their final years.
For those attending Robert Boehm’s funeral, the family kept things lighthearted, as per Robert’s style. They encouraged guests to “dust off whatever outdated or inappropriate combination of clothing you have available,” and to leave tips in the jar at the front. Flowers, of course, were also acceptable.
In the end, Robert Boehm’s obituary reminds us that even in death, there’s room for humor — and that the best way to honor a life well-lived is to remember the laughter shared along the way.
